Road of prosperity extends towards Lhasa, capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region. Rail is layed at Gulu Town in Nagqu, county of west China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Dec. 8, 2004. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway extended its way into Gulu Town, the last stop before it reaches Lhasa. Sprawling on the Tanggular Range, described as a mountain "insurmountable even by eagles," the railway is the most elevated railway in the world with a maximum altitude of 5,070 meters. China began construction of the railway in 2001 at a cost of 26.2 billion Yuan (US$3.16 billion). The Chinese government expects the project to boost Tibet's social and economic development, helping local residents improve their living standards.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway is expected to be completed ahead of schedule with two thirds of the railway lines already in place. It was originally scheduled to start operating in 2007.

Source: China Daily
Editor: Ellen Erath